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All posts for the month January, 2013

Ol’ man winter is still in full force in most parts of the U.S. and the thermostat is getting a good workout at homes and businesses. Some people like it a bit more brisk while others enjoy a toastier feel. Regardless, the temperature outside shifts and people inside like things to remain the same – comfortable and predictable. Sound familiar?

In many workplaces because the temperature inside is always pleasant and outside forces are essentially ignored, it can create a false sense that all is right with the world and nothing needs to change as we work inside the equivalent of a shopping mall – always comfortable. I’ve seen time and time again with many of my clients, this ill-conceived notion that nothing we’re doing really needs to change because once the economy calms down, we can get back to work. What? The public sector has for generations tried to remain immune from the swift and disruptive forces wreaking havoc and this insular feeling has lead to in many cases, arrogance, apathy and inertia – none of these is positive, by the way!

So, what can you do? Great question. Actively monitor those headwinds outside and extrapolate their potential impact to your agency and not just the financial ones, too. Consider the political, social, cultural and environmental factors which may be catalyzing the potential for your agency to redefine its purpose or risk losing relevance. Just because the public sector doesn’t depend on paying customers for a market share doesn’t mean they’re impervious to economic forces influencing customers’ buying habits for services. Email me at patrick@gettingbetterallthetime.com and I’ll reply with a recommended reading list designed to help you stay current on trends from all sectors enabling you to assemble a draft version of the future so you can help your agency re-position itself to remain credible and relevant. You be the one in your workplace while not pleading that the sky is falling, is on point for consciously and purposefully adjusting the thermostat so people don’t become too comfortable.

Well, 2013 is quickly underway and one of my resolutions is to write a blog at least every other Sunday. I started off strong last year, kept at it, but like so many things in our lives, became distracted by other matters.

I think becoming fluent in leading change should be a resolution you consider for yourself. Much of the consulting work I provide to clients has as its centerpiece, the idea of how to implement and sustain meaningful change. As I like to say, change, progress and innovation are siblings. There are some leaders who think their workforce will simply move lock-step after being advised about another in a series of management directives aimed at improving organizational performance. Quite the contrary, leading successful change should be an inclusive process employees don’t buy into, but instead, join in. Abide by the maxim that change is a process, not an event. Invest some time in exploring the field of change…challenge your assumptions about what you think you know and allow new ideas to penetrate your mind, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll learn. Start here and you’ll quickly see why the field of change management is fraught with misunderstanding and mis-application – https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=516&q=change+management+process&oq=change+management&gs_l=img.3.0.0l10.2375.3891.0.4922.17.9.0.4.4.1.172.1109.1j8.9.0…0.0…1ac.1.-OxhE5gi4CA. I looked at this site and before too long, my head started hurting.

I’m a faculty associate at Arizona State University (where I earned my MPA many years ago) teaching a graduate course on organizational change. I’ve taught this subject for several years and we start with another 30 willing and anxious students on January 7th. No matter how many times I’ve taught it, I always learn a few new pearls illuminating my perspective, which is one of the reasons I do it, to counter any sort of inertia that might creep in.

I look forward to a prosperous 2013 full of adventure and continuing our journey in getting better all the time.